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Admission

While many colleges and universities consider transfer applicants only after the first-year class is selected, Smith reserves a number of places especially for transfers because we believe they enrich our community. Each year, more than 100 transfer students enter Smith either in January or September.

Transfer students must have completed at least one semester at any of a variety of institutions, including four-year private and public colleges and universities, community and junior colleges, and international institutions. Like you, every transfer student has her own reasons for leaving one school for another, but you all share common qualities: an interest in academic excellence, strong motivation and self-discipline, and an adventurous spirit.

Where to Send Forms

Required Materials

Smith College uses the Common Application and the Common Application Writing Supplement. This is currently the only application for first-year, international and transfer students. There is no application fee. Smith is a member of the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success and will be accepting the Coalition Application in August 2017.

Common Application

Smith Transfer Writing Supplement

College Transcript(s)

High School Transcript, and original recommendations to college if still available

Transfer College Report

Two Teacher Evaluations

Midterm Report

Photocopies of Course Descriptions, for all college courses completed and in progress

Standardized Testing Policy

U.S. Citizens: SAT I or ACT and SAT II scores are optional for U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents.

International Citizens: The SAT I or ACT is required for international citizens being instructed in English. The TOEFL, IELTS or PTE is required for international citizens being instructed in a language other than English. Scores must be sent from the testing agency. Testing is not required if you have completed one or more years of study at a U.S. college of university.

Please note that test requirement is based on citizenship, not on where a student attends school.

SAT II subject tests are optional for all applicants.

Undocumented Students

Undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students follow the procedures and requirements for first-year or transfer admission. They are evaluated in the same way as U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. Undocumented and DACA students should indicate “Non-citizen” or “Other” in the citizenship field on the Common Application. Because we want to obtain a comprehensive picture of the student’s background and experiences in the context of her school and community, we encourage undocumented and DACA applicants to disclose their citizenship status in the application. Undocumented and DACA students may apply under any admission plan, including January admission.

Smith meets 100% of the demonstrated need of all admitted students who apply for financial aid by the published deadlines. Because federal financial aid is not available for undocumented and DACA students, Smith provides institutional, need-based financial aid in its place.

Recommended

We highly recommend that you schedule a personal interview. It gives you the opportunity to highlight more information about yourself than what is reflected on your application. It also provides a chance to ask specific questions about Smith. To schedule and interview on campus, call the Office of Admission at 413-585-2500 or send us an email. If you can't come to campus, find a Smith alumna in your area.

Financial Assistance

If you intend to apply for financial aid, you must do so when you apply for admission and by the published deadlines.

U.S. citizens who do not apply for financial aid by the published deadlines will be required to complete 64 credits earned at Smith before they are eligible to apply for institutional financial aid. This means that a student would be eligible to receive only federal, state and outside aid for her first two years at Smith; no Smith grant aid would be available before that period.

International students who do not apply by the published deadlines prior to admission are ineligible to receive institutional financial aid from the college at any time.

Deferring Admission

Admitted students who wish to defer their offer of admission should send a letter to Dean of Admission Debra Shaver, or send an email to the admission office. We must have your request in our office by June 1. Please state the reasons for deferral and explain your plans for the next year. You must pay your enrollment deposit by the published deadline to hold your space in next year's class.

Transfer students may defer their admission for a semester or a year.

AP, IB and College Credit

A maximum of one semester (16 credits) earned through any combination of AP, IB and college credit may be applied toward your Smith degree. Credit may be used only:

to make up a shortage of credits incurred through failure

with the approval of the administrative board, to make up a shortage of credit incurred as a result of dropping a course for reasons of health

to undertake an accelerated course program

Credits are recorded for scores of 4 or 5 on most Advanced Placement examinations. The credits allotted are determined by the individual department.

Smith will award up to a semester's worth of credit if you have taken part in an International Baccalaureate program. The exact amount of credit will be determined once an official copy of results has been sent to the registrar's office.

Collaborative Agreements

Transfer students are encouraged to apply to Smith College, a private, competitive, liberal arts college for women located in western Massachusetts. In order to make the transition as smooth as possible, Collaborative Admission Agreements provide guidelines for admission and credit. Additional agreements will be listed as they are completed.

While we have a limited number of collaborative admission agreements from community colleges that send us a large number of applications, we welcome applicants from all community colleges as well as four year colleges and universities. All prospects can consult these agreements to get a sense of which courses may transfer to Smith.

Click the links to download or view the collaborative agreements per institution.

Transgender Applicants

Smith’s policy is one of self-identification. The college considers for admission any applicant whose birth certificate reflects their gender as female, or who identifies as female. For more information go to Gender Identity and Expression.

Request More Information

If you are interested in applying to Smith, please fill out this form to request more information.